By Seedy Jobe
The leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress, Hon. Mama Kandeh, called on President Adama Barrow to urge his supporters to refrain from insulting political opponents, warning that such rhetoric risks inflaming tensions ahead of the 2026 elections.
Speaking at a meeting with supporters on Sunday in Kiti village in the West Coast Region, Mr. Kandeh said that while political criticism is a legitimate part of democratic discourse, personal attacks should be off limits.
“They are not better than anybody here,” he said, referring to members of the governing party. “Starting from the president to the lowest, they are not better than anyone.”
Mr. Kandeh emphasized that he himself is open to criticism but drew a clear distinction between critique and insult, particularly when it involves family members.
“If you’re criticizing me as a politician, you have the right,” he said. “But you don’t have the right to insult my mother or my father.”
At the same time, he warned that continued verbal attacks could provoke retaliation from his supporters. While he said he had not instructed anyone to engage in insults, he suggested that restraint might not be indefinite if provocations persist.
The opposition leader also referenced past remarks he attributed to President Barrow, saying the president had encouraged his supporters not to feel intimidated because they control state institutions. Mr. Kandeh rejected any notion of fear, asserting that his party would remain resolute while maintaining respect.
“I swear, starting from him, the president, there is no human being whom we are going to be afraid of,” he said. “We’ll give you the respect.”
Framing his appeal in broader terms, Mr. Kandeh said politics should center on unity and national development rather than hostility. He called on all political parties to promote peace, describing it as essential to the country’s stability.
Turning to the approaching election year, Mr. Kandeh urged his supporters to intensify their outreach efforts, stressing that electoral success depends on public support. “All the work we have done for five years is for one day — election day,” he said. “That day is not a day to joke.”
He reiterated that his party would not initiate confrontations but would not retreat if challenged. “We are not going to fight with anybody, and we are not going to insult anybody,” he said. “But if anybody insults us, we are not afraid.”
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